Betty Ann Kins

Betty Ann Kins, age 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, July 2, 2022.  She was born in 1931 in Belvidere, IL and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1949.

After high school, Betty moved to Madison, WI, where she worked as a showroom receptionist for King Motors.  In June, 1951 she met John P. Kins, who had just graduated from the University of Wisconsin as an ROTC officer.  It was love at first sight.

Although John started his military service in August, 1951, he was able to get leave over Christmas that year and married Betty at the First Congregational Church in Madison on December 24, 1951.  They honeymooned at King’s Gateway Lodge in Land O’ Lakes, WI.  Betty joined John, living at various army bases throughout the South and the Midwest for the next 4 years and working as a secretary in nearby towns.

In 1953, Betty gave birth to their only child, Tonya, at Fort Riley, KA.  After military service, John and Betty eventually moved back to Madison.  Betty worked as an executive assistant to the president of the Madison Coca-Cola Bottling Company and John taught chemistry, first at Wisconsin High School, and then at Madison Area Technical College.  Later Betty earned her realtor’s license and sold real estate with Bob Hustead & Associates.  Betty finished out her career as an office manager for an architectural firm, Torkelson & Associates, and retired in 1996.

Betty and John loved the freedom of traveling across the U.S. in their RV; and they also enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii, Mexico and Spain.

After John passed in 2003, Betty took great pride and joy continuing to live in and maintain the family home in Madison until 2018, when at age 87 she reluctantly moved to Colorado so her daughter and family could care for her.  Betty was a devout Christian Scientist throughout her life and graciously prayed for, and shared her wonderful insights with, her family and friends.  Betty loved sewing, shopping for bargains, Chinese food, and surprising her great grandchildren with funny toys.  She preferred to be called “Betty Boop” rather than “Grandma” and loved “to have fun, fun, fun!”   

She will be deeply missed by her family, but we take comfort in knowing she is happy to be reunited with her beloved John in heaven.

Betty is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Tonya & Curt Knudsen, her grandchildren Lauren Milam and her husband Jason and Brandon Knudsen and his wife Suzane, her great grandchildren Teddy (6), Johnny (4), and Lilly (3 mo.) Milam, her nephews & nieces Peter & Shirley Rockwell, Bill & Donna Rockwell, David & Jane Rockwell, Tina & Bruce Jacobson, and Rhonda Hoskins and their families, her sister-in-law Jean Kins, and her cousin Russell Myers.

A Celebration of Life Service for Betty will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial, CO 80122; and thoughts and memories about Betty may be shared on their website:

www.horancares.com